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Luxury Yachts: The Most Elegant Mega Yachts in the World

From a classic conversion to a new delivery, these five superyachts put “luxury” in “luxury yacht.”

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, as the saying goes. When it comes to luxury yachts, especially mega yachts, it’s hard to say that one is the most beautiful, or the best outfitted, or other some such superlative. Regardless, even with more than 5,000 of these vessels on the water, some stand apart. They do so because of extraordinary joinery and stonework, for example, or equally extraordinary features rarely seen on yachts.

Even with that, though, the list of stunning superyachts can go on and on. Therefore, we decided to narrow it down, to a sampling of the most elegant yachts afloat. We selected these five for a few reasons, such as acclaim from media and boat-show goers. They also show off exquisite detailing, and features you may have to see to believe. In some cases, you can decide in person whether they meet your definition of elegance, since they charter. We list them in alphabetical order.

DAR

1. DAR

Just delivered by Oceanco at Christmastime, DAR brings nature inside in creative ways. Three-dimensional fish swim up and down along stairway walls, leaf and feather patterns adorn wallpaper, and floral patterns appear in metallic treatments. The owners collaborated closely with design studio Nuvolari-Lenard to ensure they felt extra-connected to the surrounding marine environment. At 295 feet LOA and with a 47-foot beam, this luxury yacht is quite voluminous. But, the rooms don’t feel cavernous. Instead, they’re warm and welcoming, featuring several shades of sycamore fiddleback, bleached-gray maple, and Brazilian carballo. The design team also used 3D lacquers, leathers, and bas-reliefs—like the fish in the stairway. While DAR grabs headlines for using more than 4,300 square feet of glass in her profile, her interior is still every bit deserving of attention.

Christina O

2. Christina O

Certainly one of the most famous luxury yachts in the world, Christina O was not originally a yacht. In fact, the 325-footer was constructed as a naval frigate, seeing duty during World War II. The late Aristotle Onassis acquired the vessel, saving her from the scrap heap, and converted her into a lavish cruiser and entertainer. Today, decades after his death, Christina O retains her original extravagant interior. A meticulous restoration preserved the lapis lazuli stonework surrounding her fireplace, for instance. It also brought back the intricate mosaic inlay of her pool floor—which rises to become a dance floor, under the stars. Even today, few luxury yachts have pools that do this. Christina O is additionally among the few megayachts that cater to big charter parties, taking 34 guests in 17 staterooms. She’s available through Morley Yachts’ central agency.

Cloud 9

3. Cloud 9

This two-year-old 243-footer , built by CRN, was a crowd favorite at her debut during the Monaco Yacht Show in 2017. Available for charter via Burgess’ central agency, she has an interior, by Winch Design, akin to an upscale beach house. Whether the owner’s family members or guests are aboard, Cloud 9 treats them to hand-painted murals characterized by abundant blues and shimmering whites. Carpeting sculpted to look like rippled sand looks and feels wonderful, too, as does bleached-oak paneling carved in waves in some rooms and gently hammered in others. Varying shades of blue in furnishings—note the coral motif on the backs of the dining room chairs, in particular—keep the theme going. Interestingly, Cloud 9 has a playful side, too. When the owner and family are aboard, their stateroom doors bear names of Star Wars characters.

Kismet. Photo Credit: Guillaume Plisson

4. Kismet

In a testament to this 312-foot luxury yacht’s elegance, the Four Seasons resort company chartered Kismet during Art Basel last December. It created a pop-up resort experience onboard, with chefs and mixologists from its properties. Guests got to enjoy Kismet’s impressive spaces, starting with her lower-deck spa. It dazzles with a variety of woods, glass, and stone. It’s also complete with a hammam, a hot tub, a cold-water plunge pool, a steam shower, and a massage room. Furthermore, Kismet impresses with a two-deck-high atrium. Art Deco-inspired railings flow along sweeping stairways connecting the two decks, and a Crystal Caviar chandelier hangs over a piano on the lower level. Meanwhile, one of the largest video displays you’ll ever see covers the entire two-level wall to one side. Kismet is available for both charter and sale.

Pink Gin VI

5. Pink Gin VI

Representing the sailing-superyacht niche on our list of luxury yachts, Pink Gin VI made history at launch in 2017. The 177-footer, by Baltic Yachts, is the world’s largest carbon fiber sloop. Don’t stop there, though; her silver hull and fuchsia sail hint at what awaits inside. Plentiful shades of pink come through in velvets, leathers, and artwork, all custom made for the yacht, of course. Even a custom-made Edelweiss Sygnet player piano is aboard, adjacent to the dining area. It’s further a striking shade of pinkish lilac. Speaking of the dining area, the tabletop is a marvel. Resin encapsulates dozens of delicate flower petals and leaves. Overhead, meanwhile, custom Murano glass chandeliers brighten the ambiance. The owner even has chandeliers hang outside, over the dining/lounging area of the cockpit, on occasion.

Diane M. Byrne is the founder and editor of the daily updated website Megayacht News. A longtime yachting writer, she also contributes to Yachts International, Boat Exclusive, and other magazines. She is additionally a member of the International Superyacht Society Board of Directors and Vice Chair of the U.S. Superyacht Association.